Joan Crawford News

Everybody's favorite holiday bitch is back and she's meaner then ever in the return of CHRISTMAS DEAREST, Hell in a Handbag Productions' Joan Crawford-infused parody of A Christmas Carol by David Cerda, directed by Steve Love. CHRISTMAS DEAREST will play tonight, November 28, 2015 - January 2, 2016 at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Holiday musicals are at 100% in our big suburban theaters! Plus two of our annual 'Christmas Carol' offerings, a new show called 'Tinsel!,' 'Gypsy' and 'Oliver!' for those not yet ready to celebrate things, and the return of 'Christmas Dearest' from Hell In A Handbag at Mary's Attic. Happy Holidaze!

Everybody's favorite holiday bitch is back and she's meaner then ever in the return of CHRISTMAS DEAREST, Hell in a Handbag Productions' Joan Crawford-infused parody of A Christmas Carol by David Cerda, directed by Steve Love. CHRISTMAS DEAREST will play November 28, 2015 - January 2, 2016 at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. Tickets are available at www.handbagproductions.org. The press opening is Friday, December 4 at 7:30 pm.

The 2015-16 premiere of THEATER TALK, now in its 24th year, focuses on a campy Off-Broadway hit, DROP DEAD PERFECT, with its star Everett Quinton and director Joe Brancato, plus the ambitious exhibition, THE HIRSCHFELD CENTURY, celebrating THE ART OF the late caricaturist Al Hirschfeld, with Hirschfeld's widow Louise Kerz Hirschfeld and the exhibition's curator and author of its companion book, David Leopold.

The 2015-16 premiere of THEATER TALK, now in its 24th year, focuses on a campy Off-Broadway hit, DROP DEAD PERFECT, with its star Everett Quinton and director Joe Brancato, plus the ambitious exhibition, THE HIRSCHFELD CENTURY, celebrating THE ART OF the late caricaturist Al Hirschfeld, with Hirschfeld's widow Louise Kerz Hirschfeld and the exhibition's curator and author of its companion book, David Leopold.

Tweiss Productions and Nicholas James Opalenik/Event Horizon Productions have announced the cast for their upcoming musical Hell's Belles that will premiere in Times Square this October. Hell's Belles has a book and lyrics by Bryan D. Leys and music by Steve Liebman. Hell's Belles will begin performances at The Elektra Theatre at The Times Square Arts Center (300 West 43rd Street) on October 3, opening October 24 for a limited run through December 27, 2015. The show features direction by John Znidarsic, music direction by Mary Feinsinger, and musical staging by Eugenio Contenti.   Tickets are $39, $69, $99 and can be purchased by visiting HellsBellesTheMusical.com or by calling 866.811.4111.

Expanding on its commitment to add classic TV series to its vintage movie lineup, Sony Pictures Television Networks' digital broadcast channel getTV has acquired all 26 episodes of 1963's 'The Judy Garland Show,' from World Nation Live Entertainment

Hell in a Handbag Productions is thrilled to announce details for its annual benefit, THE HANDBAG SAMPLER, offering audiences a delicious assortment of campy characters that have graced the Handbag stage over the years! THE HANDBAG SAMPLER will take place Sunday, October 18 from 5 pm-10 pm at DANK HAUS German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave. in Chicago.

Hell in a Handbag Productions continues its 2015-16 season with the world premiere of SCREAM, QUEEN, SCREAM!, a horror trilogy by David Cerda inspired by classics like Creepshow, Night Gallery and Tales From the Crypt, directed by Wm. Bullion. SCREAM, QUEEN, SCREAM! will play tonight, September 24 - October 31, 2015 at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. The press opening is Sunday, September 27 at 7 pm. BroadwayWorld has a look at the cast in action below!

Hell in a Handbag Productions continues its 2015-16 season with the world premiere of SCREAM, QUEEN, SCREAM!, a horror trilogy by David Cerda inspired by classics like Creepshow, Night Gallery and Tales From the Crypt, directed by Wm. Bullion. SCREAM, QUEEN, SCREAM! will play September 24 - October 31, 2015 at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. The press opening is Sunday, September 27 at 7 pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Do you love Greek tragedy but wish it was funnier, and set in the late 60's, with fabulous clothes? "Die, Mommie, Die!" by famed playwright and drag legend Charles Busch is a production from House of DeVille and features Kansas City drag legend De De DeVIlle in the title role.  The production runs October 2 through October 17, 2015 at the Musical Theatre Heritage Theatre in Crown Center, Kansas City, Missouri.

Tweiss Productions and Nicholas James Opalenik/Event Horizon Productions will present a helluva show in Times Square this October, the original musical Hell's Belles, with book and lyrics by Bryan D. Leys and music by Steve Liebman. Hell's Belles will begin performances at The Elektra Theatre at The Times Square Arts Center (300 West 43rd Street) on October 3, opening October 24 for a limited run through December 27, 2015. The show features direction by John Znidarsic, music direction by Mary Feinsinger, and musical staging by Eugenio Contenti. Tickets are $39, $69, $99 and can be purchased by visiting HellsBellesTheMusical.com or by calling 866.811.4111. Cast to be announced soon.

The New York Historical Society has announced its exhibitions and programs for September-October 2015.

Everybody's favorite holiday bitch is back and she's meaner then ever in the return of CHRISTMAS DEAREST, Hell in a Handbag Productions' Joan Crawford-infused parody of A Christmas Carol by David Cerda, directed by Steve Love. CHRISTMAS DEAREST will play November 28, 2015 - January 2, 2016 at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. Check out photos from the production below!

Everybody's favorite holiday bitch is back and she's meaner then ever in the return of CHRISTMAS DEAREST, Hell in a Handbag Productions' Joan Crawford-infused parody of A Christmas Carol by David Cerda, directed by Steve Love. CHRISTMAS DEAREST will play November 28, 2015 - January 2, 2016 at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. Tickets go on sale Thursday, October 1, 2015 at www.handbagproductions.org. The press opening is Friday, December 4 at 7:30 pm.

Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to continue its 2015-16 season with the world premiere of SCREAM, QUEEN, SCREAM!, a horror trilogy by David Cerda inspired by classics like Creepshow, Night Gallery and Tales From the Crypt, directed by Wm. Bullion. SCREAM, QUEEN, SCREAM! will play September 24 - October 31, 2015 at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. Tickets are currently on sale at www.handbagproductions.org. The press opening is Sunday, Sept. 27 at 7 pm.

In Psycho Beach Party, playwright Charles Busch tosses together a quirky melange of Gidget, Joan Crawford, beach parties, surfers, Hitchcock and slasher movies. The result is hilarious, campy and a lot of fun to watch. The show has delighted audiences since 1987. It has played off-Broadway, at international festivals and in community theaters.

Arnold Scaasi, Canadian fashion designer who created ensembles for the rich and famous, died today, August 4, 2015. He was 85. Scaasi crafted one of his most recognized, and perhaps infamous, outfits for stage and screen star Barbra Streisand. She wore it to the 1969 Academy Awards, where she won the Oscar for her performance in the film FUNNY GIRL. But their relationship didn't end there - scroll down for more shots of Streisand sporting some of Scaasi's signature looks!

Kevin Malony and Joseph A. Berger, producers of the return summer engagement of LYPSINKA! THE BOXED SET, announce that the run will be canceled due to an injury sustained by star John Epperson.